Degassing apparatus and methods thereof

Abstract

A degassing apparatus for a liquid delivery system is provided. The degassing apparatus includes a first chamber disposed along a liquid delivery path to capture gas within the liquid delivery path. The degassing apparatus also includes a set of membranes having at least one membrane, the set of membranes disposed along the liquid delivery path to selectively allow the gas to pass through the set of membranes. The degassing apparatus further includes a second chamber disposed above the set of membranes to evacuate the gas from the first chamber. Moreover, the degassing apparatus includes a one-way valve configured to vent the gas from the second chamber when pressure inside the second chamber exceeds a first predetermined value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A degassing apparatus for a liquid delivery system, comprising:
 a first chamber disposed along a liquid delivery path to capture gas within said liquid delivery path;   a set of membranes having at least one membrane, said set of membranes disposed along said liquid delivery path to selectively allow said gas to pass through said set of membranes;   a second chamber disposed above said set of membranes to evacuate said gas from said first chamber; and   a one-way valve configured to vent said gas from said second chamber when pressure inside said second chamber exceeds a first predetermined value.   
     
     
         2 . The degassing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said set of membranes is a single gas permeable membrane. 
     
     
         3 . The degassing apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said single gas permeable membrane is made from inert material. 
     
     
         4 . The degassing apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said inert material includes Teflon®. 
     
     
         5 . The degassing apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said inert material includes silicone. 
     
     
         6 . The degassing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said set of membranes is positioned between said first chamber and said second chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The degassing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said one-way valve is configured to be automatically closed when said pressure within said second chamber falls below a second predetermined value, wherein said second predetermined value is less than said first predetermined value. 
     
     
         8 . A liquid delivery system, comprising:
 a liquid source;   a liquid recipient;   a set of liquid distribution channels having at least one liquid distribution channel for moving liquid between said liquid source and said liquid recipient; and   a degassing module disposed along said at least one liquid distribution channel of said set of liquid distribution channels, wherein said degassing module including at least
 a first chamber disposed along a liquid delivery path of said at least one liquid distribution channel to capture gas within said liquid delivery path, 
 a set of membranes having at least one membrane, said set of membranes disposed along said liquid delivery path to selectively allow said gas to pass through said set of membranes, 
 a second chamber disposed above said set of membranes to evacuate said gas from said first chamber, and 
 a one-way valve configured to vent said gas from said second chamber when pressure inside said second chamber exceeds a first predetermined value. 
   
     
     
         9 . The liquid delivery system of  claim 8  wherein said liquid source is ink. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid delivery system of  claim 8  wherein said liquid recipient is a print cartridge. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid delivery system of  claim 8  wherein said set of membranes is a single gas permeable membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid delivery system of  claim 11  wherein said single gas permeable membrane is made from inert material, wherein said inert material including Teflon® and silicone. 
     
     
         13 . The liquid delivery system of  claim 8  wherein said set of membranes is positioned between said first chamber and said second chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid deliver system of  claim 8  wherein said one-way valve is configured to be automatically closed when said pressure within said second chamber falls below a second predetermined value, wherein said second predetermined value is less than said first predetermined value. 
     
     
         15 . The liquid delivery system of  claim 8  wherein said degassing module is positioned at a highest point of said liquid delivery path. 
     
     
         16 . A method for degassing in a liquid delivery system, comprising:
 providing, a first chamber disposed along a liquid delivery path of said liquid delivery system to capture gas from said liquid delivery system;   providing a second chamber, said second chamber being disposed above said first chamber and separated from said first chamber by a set of membranes having, at least one membrane that is selectively permeable with respect to said gas and selectively impermeable with respect to liquid of said liquid delivery system; and   providing a one-way valve with said second chamber such that said one-way valve opens to vent said gas from said second chamber when pressure within said second chamber exceeds a first pre-determined value.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said one-way valve is configured to close when said pressure within said second chamber falls below a second predetermined value and wherein said first predetermined value is higher than said second predetermined value. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said set of membranes includes a set of gas permeable membranes. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said set of membranes is made from inert material, wherein said inert material includes Teflon® and silicone. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said first chamber is disposed at a highest point of said liquid delivery path, wherein said highest point is a location where said gas rises to and accumulates within said liquid delivery system.